Juvenile Court Counselor-Durham County

We are looking for candidates who have a passion for helping court-involved youth. This posting is for District 14 located in the Central Region of the State of North Carolina, specifically in Durham County.

Job duties for this position require driving a state vehicle. A valid driver's license must be obtained by the date of hire.

What are the duties of a Juvenile Court Counselor?

• Provide case management services, counseling, and supervision of adjudicated or delinquent juveniles to ensure compliance with court-ordered dispositions.

Juvenile Court Counselors enjoy annual salary increases with a step pay plan. Your initial salary is based on your total months of related education and experience above the minimum requirements for this position (Master's degree and 12 months or Bachelor's degree and 24 months). Please list all work experience in order for you to receive maximum credit. This will help determine the correct salary and step for potential candidates. Candidates will only receive credit for experience documented on the state application. Once hired, your pay will continue to increase as you gain more related experience up to step 6, and you may also qualify for other promotional opportunities. There are many opportunities for promotional advancement within Juvenile Justice!

If you are interested in becoming a Juvenile Court Counselor but do not yet meet the Education and Experience Requirements, consider becoming a Juvenile Court Counselor Trainee! Applications for both Juvenile Court Counselor and Juvenile Court Counselor Trainee positions will be accepted within this posting.

As a Juvenile Court Counselor Trainee, work will include:

• Gaining progressively complex exposure to the juvenile justice field, court proceedings, case management, system(s) of care, and areas related to juvenile and family dynamics and wellbeing.
• Opportunities to receive certifications in the trainee's field of work.
• Shadowing other Juvenile Court Counselors performing their duties and working on their caseloads.
• Coordinating services for juveniles and families.
• Preparing and presenting court recommendations.
• Developing skills and confidence to carry a caseload and perform the job duties of a Juvenile Court Counselor independently.

Trainee appointments include participating in a 6 to 24-month training progression, in which trainees are assigned to a progressive career development program under supervision designed to ensure trainees develop an overall understanding of their role and its impact over time. Once fully qualified, trainees will be eligible for continued professional development, in-service trainings and workshops, and a salary increase. It is expected that Juvenile Court Counselor Trainees that perform successfully during their Trainee appointment will be moved into a permanent position as a Juvenile Court Counselor.

Work Schedule:

This is a full-time position. Work hours for this position are Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm; however, candidates must be able to work on-call hours, weekends, and holidays on a rotating basis and be able to work a variable work schedule to meet the needs of juveniles and their families.

About the Division of Juvenile Justice:

The Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is committed to the reduction and prevention of juvenile delinquency by effectively intervening, educating, and treating youth in order to strengthen families and increase public safety. If you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of North Carolina's youth, we welcome you to be part of the team.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies:

The Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) listed below, along with the Minimum Education and Experience (E&E), are required to qualify for this position. All work history and education (including accurate dates of employment/attendance) must be documented on the application. Supplemental Questions are also a required part of the application: answers must reference education or work experience listed on the application. A complete, all-inclusive application maximizes an applicant's potential to qualify for the position, as well as the highest possible salary. Salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

To qualify for this position, applicants must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Experience using strategies or approaches for at least one of the following that contributes to an adolescent's development: family dynamics, group norms, behavioural problems or challenges, and/or socioeconomic or psychosocial problems which impact juveniles.
• Experience addressing various factors that may contribute to juvenile delinquency.

Management Preferences:

These skills are not required, but managers may choose to interview/select applicants who demonstrate Management Preferences:

• Experience with public speaking.
• Experience applying different counselling approaches and crisis intervention practices to a variety of situations.
• Knowledge of and/or experience working with a system of care.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Master's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of experience in counselling or working with the juvenile/family client population and/or related human service case management experience OR Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in counselling or working with the juvenile/family client population and/or related human service case management experience.

Please list all work experience in order for you to receive maximum credit. This will be directly related to a possible salary offer.

Necessary Special Qualification:

Applicants for positions designated as Juvenile Justice Officers are subject to and must meet the hiring and training standards established by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, as defined in Title 12, Chapter 9 of the NC Administrative Code, by the statutory authority of GS 17C. Selected applicant must attend and successfully complete and pass the Juvenile Justice Officer Basic Training certification program. The certification requires four weeks to complete and is comprised of classroom and physically demanding training. This training is carried out at regional training centers and requires consecutive overnight stays. In addition, the selected candidate must:

• Have or be able to obtain required documentation for certification as a Juvenile Justice Officer (i.e. a diploma).
• Pass a Criminal Background check.
• Pass a Drug Screening test.
• Pass a Psychological test.
• Pass a Sexual Risk Screening test.
• Pass a Physical (to include Vision and Hearing).